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Yesterday, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar reintroduced the Pigs in Gestation Stalls (PIGS) Act. This legislation would permanently ban the use of gestation stalls, used to house pregnant pigs, and would require the pigs to have no less than 24 square feet of space. These implementations will allow pregnant pigs to lie down, stand up, and move about freely.

“Pigs are sentient beings that feel pain and suffering. They are sensitive, gentle, and smart creatures that are treated with incredible cruelty before they are sent to be slaughtered,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “While there is much more work needed to reform the cruelty in our food industry, this is an important step in holding the swine industry accountable by limiting the horrific conditions pregnant pigs are kept in.”

The PIGS Act will help to establish a level playing field for pork producers. For example. There are currently a dozen states restricting the practice of gestation stalls, pushing retailers to buy pork from only crate-free operations. The PIGS Act will help give consumers more confidence about the swine industry’s animal welfare standards.

Due to extreme conditions, pregnant pigs are exposed to stress, self-mutilating behavior, and are more susceptible to diseases.

“Animals born and built to move and to turn around should at least be allowed to do so,” said Jim Keen, D.V.M. director of veterinary sciences for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “Confining sows in crates that immobilize them is demonstrably inhumane and there are widely accepted and applied alternative housing methods. We applaud Rep. Escobar for her work to ensure that all animals are treated more humanely, including those raised for food.

The PIGS Act is cosponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and full text can be found here.